The tension in the air was suffocating, as though every breath risked shattering the fragile silence of the night. Alpha Conri’s voice cut through it like a blade—firm, cold, and absolute.
“She will be sent to the priestess tomorrow to perform the ritual,” he declared, his tone brimming with authority.
“Not under my watch,” Tristan replied, his voice solid and unwavering. His hand gripped mine so tightly that a sharp sting shot through my fingers. I bit back a wince, unsure whether it was the pain or the fear clawing at me that hurt more.
Conri’s eyes hardened, and his next words fell like a death sentence. “She is forbidden and will not be welcomed into the Gonzalo family.” His voice rang out, echoing across the quiet night, each word heavy with finality.
The mansion felt frozen in th
